A formal education is often an effective way to initially develop knowledge and skills and a means to refine current knowledge and skills.  Education also provides the basis for developing critical technical skills by allowing to learn from experts.  There are a range of education resources including:

1. Vendor seminars from product and tool companies
2. One-to multi-day seminars at commercial training centers and at colleges
3. Semester-long college courses

Formal education typically takes one of two modes:

1. Degree-seeking - the student will receive formal certification and documentation that they have completed a prescribed course of study.  Degree programs can be long term, lasting for months in certification programs to years for academic degrees such as Master or Doctorate degree.
2. Job-focused - the student is taking a single course to obtain specific knowledge and / or skills for a particular job-based requirement.